"Welcome. Welcome to Morocco" – this warm greeting, translated directly from Arabic, is what you’ll hear many times each day during your visit. It perfectly captures the genuine spirit of hospitality that defines this vibrant country. Morocco is an ideal non-Western destination for Americans, offering a unique blend of democratic values and a moderate Muslim culture. You’ll find evidence of the nation’s prosperity and progressive mindset everywhere you go, from its well-maintained infrastructure and cleanliness to the absence of the typical "hassle factor" often encountered in developing countries. Come and immerse yourself in the refreshing and welcoming atmosphere of Morocco. 

• Chefchaouen: Known as the "Blue Pearl," this city dazzles with the blue-painted buildings of its medina, offering an endless photographic safari in a tranquil and picturesque setting.
• Fes: The "Mecca of the West"  Immerse yourself in the medieval ambiance of this World Heritage listed medina,  exploring the fascinating dye pits and myriad souks.
• Ait Benhaddou: Visit this evocative UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its stunning kasbah and as a filming location for numerous movies.
• Erg Chebbi: Experience the vast Sand Sea with its impressive dunes, ideal for a memorable desert adventure. Embark on the camel safari of your travel dreams, your destination a traditional desert camp.
• Marrakech: Dive into the sensory maelstrom of this vibrant city, with its bustling markets and historic palaces. Finish your days in the energetic Djemaa el-Fna square, with its snake charmers, henna artists, and ethnic musicians.

Visa Requirements

Q: Do I need a visa in advance of arrival?

A: Visitor visas are acquired upon arrival.  Free of charge.

Registration and Deposit

Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?

A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to a Manage Booking page where you can view all your trip details, your deposit receipt, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance through Travelex. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.

Flight Information

Q: Are flights included?

A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included.

Q: What airport do I use to join/depart the tour?

A: The tour starts in Casablanca (CMN) on Oct 4 (late afternoon) and ends in Marrakech (RAK) on Oct 16 (after breakfast).

Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?

A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.

Q: Does Imprint provide or arrange airport transfers?

A: No, airport transfers are the traveler's responsibility to arrange. Basic information will be included in the 8-Week Letter.

Q: When should I book my flight?

A: Avoid booking flights before Feb 4 unless you confirm the tour status.

Early Pay Discount (EPD)

Q: How do I avail the Early Pay Discount (EPD)?

A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must book your trip and pay in full by Feb 4, 2025. The payment system already reflects this discount. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.

Pre-Departure Information

Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?

A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the tour end date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.

Pre- and Post-Tour Hotels

Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book non-tour hotel nights? 

A: For pre-tour nights, book at Hotel Idou Anfa. For post-tour nights, book at Riad les Klefs D'Or. Bookings are under Intrepid Travel Morocco and Imprint Tours, standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.

Tour Hotels

Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?

A: On the Morocco Tour ITINERARY page on the Imprint website.

Important Reminders

Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?

A:

• Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.
• Add reid@imprinttours.com to your email address book.
• Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.
• Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal or Credit Card fees.

Health and Safety

Q: What health precautions should I take?

A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for Morocco. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.

This tour involves moderate physical activity, including walking tours and excursions to natural sites with uneven terrain. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.

Tour Member Expectations

Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?

A: Be flexible, independent, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.

Travel Insurance

Q: Why is travel insurance important?

A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness. We recommend Travelex.

In case you haven’t read our Terms and Conditions carefully, we would like to repeat the importance of purchasing trip insurance. We have partnered with Travelex, a leader in the travel insurance industry. We have chosen Travelex for their very high rating, their record and reliability of processing claims, and their excellent customer service. Travelex is proud to offer you a variety of travel protection plans to fit your travel needs. We understand your plans can change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it’s important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.

Travel protection plans help provide coverage for:

- Trip Cancellation

- Trip Interruption

- Emergency Medical Expenses

- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains

- Travel Delay

- Baggage & Personal Effects

- Baggage Delay and more

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES*: With a Travelex Travel Protection Plan, emergency assistance and travel services are just a phone call away from virtually anywhere in the world. For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, CLICK HERE or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0252.

Please Note:

Travelex Insurance Services plans are only available to U.S. Residents. To be eligible for a waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the Ultimate protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, plans can be purchased any time up until the day prior to departure.

*Travel Assistance Services are provided by the designated provider as listed in the policy. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states. 

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco
Our tour begins in Casablanca. The bustling port city of Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco famous for its art deco French-colonial buildings, Mauresque government institutions, and old medina. We’ll gather in the late afternoon for a get-acquainted meeting and then enjoy our first Moroccan dinner together.

Day 2 Chefchaouen
Hassan II; Aslilah
This morning after breakfast we will tour the mighty Hassan II Mosque. This impressive mosque, opened in 1993, is the third largest in the world after the great mosques of Saudi Arabia. Departing Casablanca, we’ll travel up the Atlantic coast to Asilah, a charming white-washed seaside town known for its vibrant and active artistic community. We'll wander to the old fortress for photographs, enjoying the colorful public art seen around every corner. In the afternoon we continue to Chefchaouen, known as “The Blue Pearl”.

Day 3 Chefchaouen

Walking Tour

Our day begins with a walking tour of this lovely town. Set against a gorgeous wide valley and surrounded by the stunning Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen will pleasantly take you by surprise. Its medina has been lovingly cared for and boasts unique blue and whitewashed houses, sloping red-tiled roofs, and artisan doorways. Much of Chefchaouen was created by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista of Iberia and reminders of Spain are everywhere when exploring its cobblestone streets. It’s an evocative atmosphere and a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the bohemian ambiance. A free afternoon is yours to do just that.

Day 4 Fes

Volubilis Tour; Craft Demo

Today we travel to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis, once a provincial Roman capital. As we approach we can see its profile along the edge of a high plateau. Today it is the most impressive Roman ruin in Morocco and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In the afternoon we continue on to Fes, pausing for a local pottery demonstration. Dinner tonight includes music.

Day 5 Fes

Walking Tour - Dye Pits: Medrassa Bouanania; Funduk Nejjarine

Our activity today is a walking tour of Fez, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. It is vibrant, noisy, energetic, and fascinating. Although made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters, today we head into the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali. Medieval Fes was a storied center of education and culture; both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries were legendary and its mosques of great renown. Many Muslims and Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 were drawn here. As we walk through the streets and alleyways, passing historic khans, medrassas (religious schools), and dye-pits, it is not hard to imagine ourselves back in the Middle Ages. Our visit includes Medrasa Bouanania, the dye pits, and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. At the end of the afternoon, we will retreat to a terrace with a panoramic view of the Medina and enjoy a sunset drink.

Day 6 Merzouga

Today is a travel day. Leaving Fes we drive south, passing lovely scenery throughout the day. Our first stop will be Ifran, sometimes called “the Switzerland of Morocco.” Then we continue via Midlet and the Ziz Valley. During this journey we’ll experience glimpses of the Middle and High Atlas mountains and drive through the largest cedar forest in Morocco, stopping for panoramic views and passing Berber villages along the way. We’ll break up the day by stopping for lunch with a Moroccan family. In the afternoon the scenery changes to reveal the desert as we continue southeast, eventually arriving in Merzouga.

Day 7 Desert Camp

Gnawa village visit; Oasis; Camel Trek After breakfast in the riad we start an exploratory journey of the area. We will explore a local oasis to observe the workings of this desert lifeline. Next we’ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music. Lunch today is Berber Pizza. In the afternoon we will mount camels and, guided by an experienced camel mahout, we explore the sand sea of Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi is a great expanse of shifting wind-swept sand that’s formed into picturesque undulating crests and valleys. Its towering dunes, some up to heights of 500 feet, are the most stunning in the country and a must see experience in Morocco. Our overnight desert camp is comfortable with private bathrooms and showers.

Day 8 Ait Benhaddou

Today is another travel day as we motor west past ancient Kasbah ruins, austere mountains, and valleys of palm trees. We will pause for lunch before continuing to our final destination of Ait Benhaddou. You will have a free evening to relax and explore on your own.

Day 9 Ait Benhaddou

Centuries ago, Ait Benhaddou was an important stop for caravans carrying salt across the Sahara. Today its grand kasbah, Morocco’s premier example of clay architecture, was used extensively in the filming of Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and other famous movies and has been listed as a World Heritage site. We will explore the site with our guide this morning and have lunch in a local family home.

Day 10 Merrakesh

Majorelle Gardens; Burber Museum; Orientation- Jemaa el Fna

This morning we will drive through the winding roads of the Atlas, bound for Marrakesh, an ancient, exotic city wrapped in European modernity. The scenery is magnificent, and there will surely be calls for photo stops along the way. Upon arrival we’ll visit the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle. These magnificent gardens have become one of Merrakesh’s premier sights. In addition to the gardens we’ll visit the gem-like Berber museum. This evening we will head to the great square of Jemaa el Fna, one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakesh. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity with henna-painters, street performers, storytellers, and a street food bazaar packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies.

Day 11 Merrakesh

Free day

Today is our vacation from our vacation. Marrakesh has many engaging activities to try. Or just relax in our comfortable riad. Optional activities include: Hot air balloon ride, Tagine cooking class, Merrakech street food tour, El Jadida or Essaouira excursions, bicycle tours, or a Hammam steam bath and massage.

Day 12 Merrakesh

Guided Tour Medina; Bahia Palace; Spice/Herb Vendor

We begin this day with a morning of exploring the old medina. Marrakesh is a feast for the senses. Be enticed by the scents, sounds, and scenes of the seemingly endless mosaic of souks. Each is devoted to a separate trade: pottery, woodwork, copper, leather, carpets, spices, and more. You’ll encounter the sounds of musicians, the aroma of delectable foods, and restful gardens. During our explorations we’ll visit a herb and spice vendor as well as the Palais Bahia - a fine example of Muslim architecture.

Day 13 Tour Over

Tour ends after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.